Serving the Lord with Passion
Text/Scripture: Acts 4:23-31 NKJV, “And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.' "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Introduction: Tell the Story……….
I want to talk to you today about passion. Spiritual Passion! The kind of passion that motivated those guys in Acts chapter 4.
What is Passion? Passion is an extremely strong emotion based on something very deep inside. It is more than just liking something or having an appreciation for a thing.
For example, I like most all sports but I have a passion for football. It does not matter if my team is having a winning season or not, my passion for football remains.
I have a deeper passion for my wife and family; even deeper than football if you can believe that.
Spiritual Passion happens when someone has an up to date walk with Jesus that brings a burning zeal, or deep seated excitement that satisfies the soul and cannot be experienced outside of God.
This kind of passion cannot be phony or put on. It is something that comes from deep inside the core of a person.
1. PASSION IS HEART FELT
A. It does not come from rituals or ceremony or going through the motions
B. This kind of passion cannot be maintained thru traditions
C. The passion I am talking about comes from a dynamic, fire fed zeal of the “Daily Bread” and “Daily Destiny” type of walk.
2. DO WE WALK WITH CONVICTION OR GUILT?
A. You cannot live a life of Spiritual Passion if you live a guilty/shame based existence.
John 8:36 "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
B. You are not a sinner saved by grace, that’s not who you are.
You are the righteousness of God created unto good works.
C. Put on the mind of Christ and live in the newness of Life.
3. JOHN 10:10 NKJV, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
A. The thief wants to steal your joy and bring death. He has an agenda that is intended to bring you down. You don’t have to live, or should I say, die like that!
B. Jesus said he came to bring life… and to bring it abundantly. Perisson = Superabundant in quantity; or superior in quality; by implication, excessive; adverbially
Rom 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
I think it’s time for some people around here to choose life over existence.
C. In Nehemiah 8 it says the Joy of the Lord is my Strength
D. In Isaiah 12:3 “with joy shall you draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Joy is deeper than an emotion..., it is a Fruit of the Spirit.
4. Deut 30:19-20 NLT, “"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh,
that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!" 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
A. Spiritual life, Spiritual Passion is a choice
B. It is not emotional-ism. But, I think we need to be more emotional than just a bump on a log.
C. In Acts 4 the apostles could not help but speak about the things they had seen and heard. Do you have the kind of passion that drives you to not be silent about your Jesus?
D. These guys went back to headquarters, gave their report, prayed for even more boldness and were filled, or some would say, re-filled with the Spirit.
Conclusion: Stir up the gift 2 Tim 1:6-7 NLT, “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
